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Pregnant women's perspectives on intendedness of pregnancy

Authors :
Cathy L. Melvin
Katherine Meadows
Merry-K. Moos
Alison M. Spitz
Ruth Petersen
Source :
Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. 7(6)
Publication Year :
1998

Abstract

This study examined whether intendedness is a valued characteristic of pregnancy and what factors influence women to risk unintended (unwanted or mistimed) pregnancy. Study participants were 24-34 weeks pregnant, White or Black, aged 18-30, and receiving prenatal care from a publicly funded clinic in North Carolina. Information gathered from 8 focus group sessions (14-15 participants each) revealed that: 1) the concept of a planned pregnancy had no meaning to many of the women; 2) religious beliefs helped people accept unintended pregnancy; 3) planning for pregnancy is a stressful concept because of potential disappointment; 4) unprotected intercourse without pregnancy leads to assumptions of infertility; 5) attitudes of male partners, friends, and family members influence women to risk pregnancy; 6) women adapt to unintended pregnancy very readily; 7) there are no uniform situational risks for unintended pregnancy; and 8) unintended pregnancies are more advantageous than not for some women. These results question the assumption that intendedness of pregnancy is preferred among low-income women or that the pregnancies are "subintended." While interventions to increase intendedness focus on access to contraception, study participants reported no barriers to access as a reason for conception. Health educators should consider the ramifications of teaching that pregnancy can result from a single act of unprotected intercourse without also teaching that pregnancy can occur after several acts of unprotected intercourse. These findings suggest hypotheses that should be explored with further research.

Details

ISSN :
10493867
Volume :
7
Issue :
6
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....0f59de3ead8e5937478c492414c9c694